Associate Product Manager

In this role the Associate Product Manager will support product category management. The Associate Product Manager will assess the market and customer needs, analyze the current product offerings, and recommend strategies to optimize these product categories to ensure alignment to needs, ensure adoption, and revenue and profit goals. Requires important cross-functional engagement with, but not limited to, engineering, design, manufacturing, marketing, sales, finance, and operational teams. This is a hybrid position that requires in-office work (1-3 days depending on open projects). Candidate must live in Grand Rapids or the West Michigan region.ResponsibilitiesSupport life cycle management activities ranging from portfolio strategies, product enhancements, rationalization, and new product implementation.Demonstrate expertise of assigned product categories with focus on profitability and sales performanceSupport development of Statement of Line outlining options (sizes, colors, materials, names) to ensure project teams success.In partner with Sales and Operations support development of positioning strategies to ensure competitive market position and maximize company revenue and profitability.Works with Engineering and Design to ensure developed products meet customer needs and margin expectations.Works closely with Product Finance to monitor category performance, build forecasts, and create recommendations to adjust plans as requiredCreation of Project Brief that defines key elements of the program (Customer Profiles, Needs, Competitive environment, unique value proposition, etc) and works cross functionally with Design to develop concept solutions that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.Support the development of business cases based on defined Product Strategies/Product Portfolio RoadmapWorks cross functionally within the organization to ensure successful execution of new development activities as well as maintenance of business. Including but not limited to; engineering, manufacturing, finance, sourcing, quality, and marketing communications.Analyzes competitive products to ensure competitive market position as well as identify unique value proposition of company offering.Manages day to day product inquires/questions from systemEngages with retail locations on a consistent basis to ensure understanding of market needs and trends.